Rotary-cylinder internal-combustion engine.



H. W. N. COLE- ROTARY CYLINDER INTERNAL COMBUSTION-ENGINE.

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APPLICATION FILED FEB- III ISIS- Pateilted Feb.13,1917.

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H. w. N. COLE.

ROTARY CYLINDER INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB-4|.1916.

1,215,778. I Patented Fb. 13,1917.

H. W. N. COLE. ROTARY CYLINDER INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Patentei Feb. 13, 1917.

4 UHEETS-SHEET 4.

I cqnua toz APPLICATION FILED FEB- II. I'9I6.

& 7 5 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY W. N. COLE, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

ROTARY-CYLINDER INTERNAL-COMBUSTION E1 i'G-INE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1.91%,

Application filed February 11, 1916. Serial No. 77,57 B.

i To (Lilla/win it may concern:

' gines, of which the following is a specification, reference being hadto the aecon'ipany ing drawings, forming a part tlu-ireoli.

My inventirni relates to iniprovemmits in rotary cylinder internalcombustion engines, and its object to provide an engine ol this typewhich shall be simple in construction and ellicient in operation, andfree from the objectionable il'eatures which have neeessariiy detractedfrom the engines o'l' this type which have been used or proposedheretofore.

Other objects of this invention are to provide a valveless engine intowhich the supply of combustible mixture may be ledv and from which theburnt gases ma y be removed completely in a simple and direct mannerwithout producing undesirable side pressures and without producing:internal deposits of carbon to provide in a simple manner for expansiondue to heat; to provide an eilicii'ait cooling; arrangen'ient and meansfor regulating it; to provide for the antomatic hrin; of the. compressedgases, and to properly lubricate the apparatus with a minimum amount ofoil.

'lhese and other objects of the invention will appear in the following!s 'iecilication in which l will describe nrv l'llYfi'lltlUX} and thenpoint out the novel features thereof in appended claims.

.lleferrinu' to the drawings:

Figure 1 a sectional end elevation of an engine embodying my invention,the view be1ngr taken on the line 1'1 of Fig. 3;

1 Fig. 2 is a sectional end elevatimnprincipally through the center ofthe engine as indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, some of the partsbeing shown in true section, some partiallv sectioned and some coveredby brolcen-away portions which lie in front of the sectional plane,

Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the engine, the section beingtaken be the two intersecting planes indicated" by the line 3-3 inFig. 1. I

The arrangement of intake and exhaust ports is shown in Fig' 4- which isa development of a section taken on the curved line al-4 of Fig. 1 1001-ing in. the direction of the arrows.

A somewhat simil 11' development of a section taken on the line 5 5 ofFig, l, illustrates in Fig. 5, tha arrangement of spark plugs and ofehaniiels which serve to conneet adjacent cylinders when the engine isrunning.

Fig. 6 is a sectional end elevation of one side of the engine, thesection beingtaken on the line 5-43 of Fig. 3, looking' in the directionof the arro and in this figure a; sector-like trunnion; of the rotor isshown which lies between the sectional plane and tin-mentor of the enrinev in Fig. i' a sectional elevation of the other side oi the engineis illustrated, the section being taken on the line 77 at Fig. 3 in thedirection of the arrows whic: it will be noted poinz in the oppositedirection to those onthe line ti (i of the same figure.

Fig. 8 a side elevation of part of the engine, the view being taken fromthe line 88 of Fig. 6, with one of the cylinders in place and with itscylinder head broken away to more clearly show the construct-ion Fig. 9is a sectional side elevation of a part. of the engine, the sectionbeing taken on the line. 9*) of Fig. ('3.

Like characters of reference designate cor responding parts iii all thelig' 'i'ires.

1H and 1 30 designa 3e side plan ihich form the frame of the en zinc.'llhese are substantially circular and are connected and held at adesired distance from one another by a plurality of equally spacedtie-bolts 11; An gle brackets 121L' are affixed to theflower parts ofthese side dates to fornra base for the eng'ine.

"lhe sidefj'ilate 10 is constructed to form a central hub 13 W1 ichsupports a circularroller track 14 for supporting the rotor, andeontainsa hole 15 below the center of this track for eccentricallysupporting a piston, pin. It is also proudedavith a plurality of radialstrengthening, ribs 16 and a circular ring of air openings 17. Thelatter may be closed or partly ClJSBd by a rotary shutter 30 whichisprovic ed with openings'corresponding in size, shape and relativepositions with the openings 17, and 'also' provided with slots 3] whichlie in a common circle and through which pass screws 32 by ineansofwhich the shutter is supported upon the inner faceof the side plate 10and openings corresponding hollow circular part the cylinders rotorframe are a posed circular holes which are bored through an inner ring58 is afiixed to the rotor part or periphery of the rotor track 241.,The side plate has strengthening ribs 25 and is provided with two ringsof air openings 2 6--27. It has an-annular remass 28 opposite the recess18 in side plate 10, an exhaust chamber 29, opposite exhaust chamber 19,but somewhat shorter than the latter, and an intake chamber 40 incircumferential alinement with the chamber 29.

Back of these openings is a shutter 33 which like the shutter 30, isprovided with in size, shape and relative positions with the airopenings in the side plate on which it is mounted. This shutter is alsoprovided with slots 34 between its openings which slots lie in a commoncircle and through them pass screws 35 by means of which the shutter ismounted upon the inner face of the side plate 20 and yet is capable ofbeing given a limited rotation in respect of the side plate. 36 is abail-like strap, one end of which is connected with shutter 30, at 37,and the other end of which is connected with shutter 33 at 38. When notin use this rests upon the tiebolt 11 which is extended on both sides ofthe apparatus for the purpose of supporting it.

By means of this strap the shutters 30 and 33 may be adjustedsimultaneously to close the air openings 17, 26 and 27 onto open them toany desired extent.

4:1 is a carbureter which is connected with the intake chamber 40 by apipe {12. fan 43 is incorporated in the carburetor which is driven by abelt 44 from the rotor shaft.

The rotor shaft is designated by 50 and is mounted as shown to run onrollers in the bearing 22. The rotor frame runs between the two sideplates 10 and 20. One side of this, designated by 51,-is constructedwith a 52 which runs on rollers on the side plate hub 13, and the otherside 53is provided with a shaft 50. The outer frame is split 55 areprovided of which are springs 56 for expansion of this. part of whichare held'in the rotor Through the .split periphery of the plurality ofradially disas shown at 57, and bolts under "the heads which allowframe.

and into which cylinders is, an exhaust chamberplate by the bolts 23'and,which supports the-hollow cylindrical roller central hub 54 which '60,preferably of tubular steel, clamped between these .split portions ofthe periphery by the .bolts and springs 55'56, and further secured tothe rotor frame by pins 61. Inside of this peripheral part of the rotorframe are lugs 59 through which pass small ports 9090. Between the lugs59 and the perforated. ring 58 areintermediate projections 59 throughwhich pass ports 93-93 and between projections 59 andthe perforatedring, the rotor frames are provided with openin s 59" which are oppositethe air openings 1 and 27.

The cylinder heads 02 are fastened to both sides of the split peripherydirectly by means of bolts 63. are interposed spaced air blades or vanes64 which are affixed to both sides of the rotor frame.

In the annular groove 28 in the side plate 20 is an annular port ring65, held in place by bolts 66. The inner surface of the ring is flat andthat portion of the rotor frame side 53 through which pass the ports 90and 93 are pressed against it. This port ring is provided with aplurality of openings 67 which communicate with the exhaust chamber 29and in alinement therewith similar openings 68 which communicate withthe intake chamber 40. It is also provided. with Between the cylinders agroove 69 of suflicient length to reach fromthe port 90'fromone cylindertothe similar port from the adjacent cylinder.

In the rotor frame side 51 are two port rings 70 and 74. The first ofthese is pressed against the rotor and rpresses the rotor against portring 65 by sfirings 71 and bolts 72. This-ring has ,a groove'73 oppositeand similar to the groove 69. The ring 74 is also pressed against therotor by springs 75 and bolts 76, and this pressure also serves to pressthe rotor frame against the port ring 65. The backs of all of the portrings are recessed as shown. 'The port ring 74 has a series of exhaustopenings opposite the exhaust openings 67 and into them are screwed pipenipples 77 which fit into and "pass through'registering openings in theside plate 10 and lead into the exhaust chamber 18 from which leads theexhaust pipe 78. 79 is a similar exhaust pipe leading from the exhaustchamber'29 on the other side of the engine.

projecting into the end 'of the rotor shaft 50.

10 and the other end of which i's a hanger bracket 82 which has till "92 which regi:

i exhi'i-ust and the inlet chambers.

The

pistons are designated by 84. One of tin e-"thc one shown t is connectedrigidly with the ring; by .a connecting rod The oth a1 connected withthe ring 80 by comiectiii rot hint Wrist pins 87 which pa through thetoi'inccting rods and I, t 1r ring and also tlnriiulgh a collar 88wl'iicl'i th hecou' es a part of the ring. 011 the top 1 p Near theupper part of each cylii'ider 60 are two. di imetrically opposed ports91 which register with the ports in the rotor frame. Below these are twoother ports ith the ports 93, I

It nmy be seen that the piston in the up pern'io cylinder is as far outof the cylin dcr as it in go, and that in thisposition it uncovers theports 92, 92%. In this position, as may be seen from Fig. -'i .-.,theseports are t en in colum:inication with both the But as the ri'itor movesin the direction of the ar- 1- with the exhaust is logs on.

out of!" whiw cominun'ication with the inlet a it-tcd At abr "t th 1time the port 93 runs out of con-inn ion with the hist oi the portsill-l fro l he intiiike chamber, the cyliliider will be nearer theei'rcentrically set'pin or shaft 8t and. co'nsequei 1y its piston willbe forced it Wardly a s cient amount to close the pol till. the rotationcontinues, the on is "ft her during the first the posi 'on of the beenreached, and half revolution the (j urge of been comg'iressed. rtt ahmitthis ll come into re with loves (35),. W at w" n ends are age 94-, andwhen ei'iergized at this tune they will cause o ignition of theron'un'es d charge in the inder. 98 a diagrammali representation of atimer 1 ins.

:trohe is the cx 'iainiion stroke and takes place While the piston isforced out of its cylinder by the pre ire of the s, thus driving therotor and de- \"olopiug power.

When the ports 93:3 reach the first ports n ol' the spark p t3? and 77,the exhaust gasesrush out through pipes 78, 79 on both sides of theengine so that no unequal side pressure is caused thereby. There arefour of these exhaust ports on. each side. as n'riy be seen from F 1g.

and a fifth on: one side opposite the first ringing is aided by the ii Ia baflle plate 89,

an ejector effect and draws out from the exhaust chamber 19 and thepreceding cylinder which is still in communication with the chamber, theremainder of the exhausted gases. Thus the cylinder at the beginning ofthe compression stroke is filled with clean, live gas.

The spark plugs, as has been shown, serve to ignite the charge aftercompression, but their use is needed onlyfor starting. After starting,some of the burnin 2; hot gases from each cylinder are led back :0 thefollowing cylmder through the ChttIllGlS 69, 73, and. these serve toignite the chiirge in said following cylinder.

The: pressure for the explosive mixture may be from any desired source.I prefer to use a supply of compressed air, for this then may beutilized not or ly for the pressure of the explosive mixture but alsofor the actual starting of the rc tor itself, which is accon'iplished byadmitting the compressed air to the cylinders when they are in thepositions occupied by them in running during the expansion stroke (ftheir pistons.

After the engine is started t sufficient pressure for the explosivemixture is attained from the fan 413.

l have shown the intake on one side only and have explained theadvantages of such an arrangement. The intake may, if desired, bearranged on both s des of the rotor in a similar mani'ier to thatprovided for the exhaus The lubrication of the engine is provided for bymeans of an oil scooa 95 into which oil is driven by the rotation of theengine, and forced out through a pipe 96 to and through a cooler (notshow'r) and back into the ei'igiine throngha pipe 97. The inside of therotor is entirely inclosed as the ring no cm'itinuous save for theperforations the in which are filled by the cylinders so that itpossible to have his space filled with oil. It is also possible toprovide oil cups on the side plates 10 aid 20 with leads to the hearingfaces of the port rings.

I have shown and described a form of engino which at present I con tiderone of the best designs which embodies the various improvements which, Ihave made, but the novel features herein set fort l1 may be i'ncor'porated in structures ofotlier designs and I intend no limitations otheithan those imposed by the appended clan IS.

The tubular cylinders shown and described are also a preferred'constructiombut I do not intend to limit myself .to thisconstructioniexceptin such claims as are specifically draiynto cover it,tut the intended meaning of such claims as specify a rotor frame adaptedto'hold cylinders and cylinders therein, is that such cylinders may becally disposed in relation to said axis, pis-' tons in the cylindersconnected with the shaft, the periphery of the rotor frame being split,and resilient means for pressing the divided periphery of the rotorframe together and against the cylinders.

2. In a multi-cylinder rotary internal combustion engine, a rotor frameadapted to hold a radial series of cylinders, said,- frame having aperiphery and an inner ring 00th provided with a plurality of radialcircular holes, a plurality'of tubular cylin- .ders therein arranged torotate with the frame about a central axis, a. shaft eccen-.

trically disposed in relation to said axis,

' pistons in the cylinders connected with the shaft, said rotor frameperiphery being split, resilient means for pressing the dividedperiphery of the rotor frame together and a%ainst the cylinders, andcylinder heads a xed to the periphery of the rotor frame on both sidesthereof.

3. In a multi -cylinder rotary internal combustion engine, a casingcomprising two ders being provided with registering ports,

and port rings in said side plates at the sides of the rotor frame, saidport rings being provided with ports adapted to cooperate with the portsin the rotor frame.

4. In a multi-cylinder rotary internal combustion engine, a casingcomprising two connected side plates, a rotor frame adapted to hold aradial series of cylinders, a plurality of cylinders in said framearranged to rotate with the frame about a central axis, a shaftecoentrically disposed in relation to said axis, pistons in thecylinders connected.

with the shaft, said rotor frame and cylinders being provided withregistering ports, a port ring affixed to one of the'side plates,another port ring supported by the other side plate, and means forpressing said other" port ring against the rotor frame and there bypressing the rotor frame against the first .mentioned port ring,

said port rings being provided with ports adapted to cooperate with theports in the rotor frame. a

5. In a multi-cylinder rotary internal frame against the first mentionedport ring,

to rotate with the frame about a central axis,

combustion engine, a casing comprising two connected side plates, aflat-sided rotor frame adapted to hold a radial series of cylinders, aplurality of tubular cylinders in said frame' arranged to rotate withthe frame about a central axis, a shaft eccentrically disposed inrelation to said axis, pistons in the cylinders connected with theshaft, said rotor' frame and cylinders being provided with registeringports, a flat-faced "5 port ring afiixed to one of the side plates,another flat-faced port ring supported by: the other side plate, andresilient springs for pressing said other port ring against the rotorframe and thereby pressing the rotor said port rings being providedwithvports adapted to cooperate with the ports in the rotor frame.

6. In a multi-cylinder rotary internal g5 combustion engine, a casingcomprising two connected side plates, arotor frame adapted to hold aradial series of cylinders, aplurality of cylinders in said framearranged a shaft eccentrically disposed in relation to said axis,pistons in the. Cylinders connected with the shaft, said rotor frame andcylinders being provided with registering ports, and port rings in saidside plates at the sides of the rotor frame, said port rings be-' ingprovided with ports adapted to cooperate with the orts in the rotorframe, and said pistons being arranged in their movement to control thecylinder ports.

7.. In a multi -cy1inder rotary internal combustionengine, a casingcomprising two connected side plates, arotor frame adapted to hold aradialfseries of cylinders, a plurality of cylinders in said framearranged to rotate with the frame about a central axis,

a shaft eccentrically disposed in relation to said axis, pistons in thecylinders connected with the shaft', said rotor frame and cylindersbeing provided with registering ports, a port ring'afiixedto one of theside plates, another port ring supported by the other side plate, andmeans for pressing said other port ring against the rotor frame andthereby pressing therotonframe against the first mentioned portring'gsaid port rings-being provided with ports adapted to cooperatewith the ports in the rotor frame, and said pistons being arranged. intheir movement to control the cylinder ports.

8. In a multi -cylinder rotary internal combustion engine, a casingcomprising two connected side plates, a rotor frame adapted to hold aradial series of cylinders, a plurality of cylinders arranged to rotatewith said frame about a central axis, a shaft eccentrically disposed inrelation to said axis, pistons in r the cylinders connected with theshaft, said rotor frame and cylinders being 1 provided with firing portsand with other ports for intake and exhaust ports in the ro- .tor frame,and with a groove adapted to connect the firin port of one cylinder withthe firing port '0 the adj aeent cylinder, and said pistons in theirmovement being arranged to control the cylinder intake and exhaustports.

9. In a multi cylinder rotary internal combustion engine, a casingcomprising two connected side plates, a rotor frame adapted a plural tohold a radial series of cylinders, city of cylinders in said framearranged to rotate with the frame about a central axis, a

shaft eccentrically disposed in relation to said axis, pistons in thecylinders connected with the shaft, said rotor frame and cylinders beingprovided with registerin ports,

a port ring supportedby one of sai plates, 11. port ring supported bythe other side plate and resilient springs for pressing said other portring against the rotor frame and thereby pressing the rotor frameagainst the first mentioned port ring, said port rings being providedwith ports adapted to coiipradial series ofcrate with the ports in therotor frame, and pipe nipples aflixed to the ports in the spring-pressedport ring and passing through a portion of the adjacent side plate.

10. In a multi-cylinder rotary internal combustion engine, a casingcomprising two connected side plates, a series of circunr ferentiallyalinedexhaust ports formed in.

one of said side .platesand a plurality of circumferentially alinedintake ports formed in the other of said side plates, said series ofintake ports overlapping the series of and a rotor comprising acylinders constructed with diametrically opposed ports adapted to coactwith said intakeand exhaust ports.

11. In a multi-cylinder rotary internal combustion engine, a casingcomprising two exhaust ports,

connected side plates, a series of circumferentially' alined exhaustports formed in one of said side plates and a plurality ofcircumfercntially alined intake ports formed in the other of said sideplates, said series at intake ports overlapping the series of exhaustports, and a rotor comprising a radial series of cylinders constructedWlth diametrically opposed ports adapted-to coact with said intake andexhaust ports; and pistons in said cylinders adapted to control saidcylinder ports.

7": 12. In. a multicylinder rotary- "internal combustion engme, a casingcomprising twos, a series of OLI'CUIIP connected side flrentially alinedexhaust ortsformed in one" of said side plates-an a plurality ofcircumferentially alined exhaust ports and 'being provide similarlyalined intake formadtitr'tha other of said side plates, the serieapfexhaust ports in said o' her side plate be' shorter than those in saidfirstmention side plate, said series of intake ports'oveb lapping theseries of exhaust ports in said first mentioned plate and a rotorcomprisi ing a radial series of :ylinders constructed with diametricallyop posed ports adapted to coact with said intalze and exhaust porta.

13. In a' multi-cyli1 ider rotary internal combustion engine, a casingcom. risingtwo connected side (plates, one of sai side plates with LIIexhaust chamber havinglan exhaust pipe leading outwardly therefrom and aseries of circumferentially alined exhaust ports lea ding inwardlytherefrom, the first of said s1 ries'of exhaust ports being oppositesaid exhaust pipe, the other side plate being constructed with an intakechamber and a series of circumferentially alined ports leading inwardlytherefrom, the first of said intake ports being opposite the last ofsaid exhausl ports, a rotor comprising a radial series of cylindersconstructed with diametrizally' opposed orts adapted to coast with saidintake an exhaust ports, and pistons in said cylinders adapted tocontrol said cylinder ports.

l l. In a multi-cylinder rotary internal combustion engine, a casingcomprlsing two connected side plates, or e of said side plates beingprovided with an exhaust chamber having an exhaust pipe leadingoutwardly therefrom and a series of circumferentially alined exhaustports'lear ling inwardly therefrom, the first of said so: ies of exhaustports being opposite said exh Lust pipe, the other side plate beingconstruc ted with an exhaust chamber having an ex iaust pipe leadingoutwardly therefrom and a series of circum-- ferentially alined exhauitports leading inwardly. therefrom, and u ith an intake chamher and aseries of circu mferentially alined ports leading inwardly therefrom,thefirst of said intake ports-beiig opposite. the last of said exhaustports in said first mentioned side late, a rotor :omprising-a radialseries of cy inders constl noted with diametricallyopposed ports adnpted'to coaet with said intake and exhaust ports, the p Fin onecylinder being ada pted to reach-the port,

last j 11'5 first of the exhaust poi ts before the of" the precedingcylinder has left the of the exhaust ports, a1 id pistons' in saidcylinders adapted to control said cylinder ports. 7 J In witnesswhereof, I have hereunto set myhand this 9 dHal of February, 1916.

NR1. w. N. COLE.

